Tours & Activities

* Click on the image next to each tour for the image library of the tour.

* When coming to Vanuatu, especially Tanna island bring all the older clothes you can carry, wear them and give them to us for fair distribution to the islanders when you are finished wearing them.

NOTE: * We use 4WD Twin Cab vehicles and modern small buses for our tours where you may choose to sit indoors or outdoors.

* All tour rates include entry fees to sites, 15% to the Vanuatu Government VAT and all other fees.

* Snorkelling with Turtles or Whales when they visit us (we will let you know immediately we see them) is free at Rockwater. No boats required, just swim out to them…carefully, as not to frighten them.

* There are no “Giant Turtles” in Tanna waters (as claimed by some), they are just old adult turtles visiting our coastline.

* You can be assured that Rockwater Tours are equal or cheaper than other resorts in the region.

Yasur Volcano Tour

"The number one attraction of Vanuatu"

Your voyage commences from the resort where our 4WD vehicle will take you along the West Coast road to the Imanaka turn off. Here we start the slow climb to the Middlebush plains (we can stop to see the wild horses and with 200 degree views, take photos of the East Coast panorama).

Now our journey takes us deeper into Tanna’s Middlebush jungle, past indigenous hamlets; coffee plantations; driving through Lamnatu village (and lots of waving children). We continue to climb further up “Snake Hill” road to reach the peak viewing area of Mt. Loanialu. A short stop for you to have your first sighting of Mt Yasur volcano from this 520 metre elevation. With a 270 degree panorama one can see Sulphur Bay where the Jon Frum tribe is located; Tanna’s East Coast with kilometre-long stretches of volcanic black sand beaches and the vast encroaching ash-sand plains (on a clear day you will see Aniwa island on the horizon).

You will be welcomed by the volcano custodians with custom dancing and a safety briefing. A 4WD drive vehicle will take you up the steep volcano (look out for the numerous fumaroles). Once at the top parking lot (yes, we park on top of a live volcano) you will need to complete the journey by foot and walk up the stairs (10 minutes) to the crater reaching the 360 metre peak. Your guide will take you to the best vantage points depending on the activity level and wind direction of the day.

NOTE:

We cannot guarantee you will always see the pyrotechnic explosions which Mt Yasur is renowned for. So far the beast has been active for thousands of years so the odds are in your favour but rain creates steam/mist and that is something we regrettably cannot do anything about.

For your own safety and comfort, please bring good fitting shoes for walking in the dark up & down a hard ash-sand mountain and a light wind jacket (with hood) for the night chill on the crater and don’t forget a flashlight as it can get dark around the crater on your decent down to your waiting vehicle.

If you are prone to back or neck pain, please advise the resort prior to departing so that we may provide the most comfortable seats for a more pleasant ride for you.

Dinner is not included in the tour price.

The Volcano tour may be cancelled if either the road conditions are not safe as Tanna can receive massive amount of rain in one night washing roads away or rendering the Siwi River unpassable.

The original traditional tribe, as in the movie “Tanna”…the village to visit.

Welcome to another world: the world of Yakel, a 100% self-sustainable lifestyle.

Here you will find a purity of spirit that has long gone in the modern world; strong women in nothing else than grass skirts; children laughing, running wild up massive trees like they were born from them; men dressed in only their Nambas, thumping the soft ash ground with their powerful legs calling their ancestors.

If you are a little jaded from the modern world then the friendliness extended to you at this traditional “Kastom” village will refresh your belief in humanity.

Visit their village, their way of living and their rhythmic dancing with singing….you will never forget them.

NOTE: Please take with you some small change in Vatu should you wish to purchase locally made artifacts.

TIP: Custom villages in Tanna; apart from locations all are pretty much the same in design and activities….we think Yakel is still very special but we are happy to take you to any other.

Depart: 08:30 - 12noonDuration: 4 - 5 hoursCost: VUV6,000 per adult

NOTE:

- If you are prone to back or neck pains please advise the resort prior to departing so that we can provide the most comfortable seats for a more pleasant ride for you as the road can be rough in parts.- Lunch is not included in the tour price.- The tour may be cancelled if either the road conditions are not safe as the Yakel area can receive a massive amount of rain in one night washing its road away.

Walk through the reported largest tree in the world nearly the size of a football field; its age is unknow, but is measures up to 170 in diameter taking up a small valley and still growing! We take you deep into the forest to climb into the tree.

Only a 30 minute open boat trip up the limestone coast from Rockwater, you would expect this beautiful natural ocean cave to feature in a James Bond movie.

The boat picks you up from our beach to follow the coastline right up to the entrance of the cave. You will not see the entrance if there is a high tide, hence you will need to hold your breath and dive under the entrance coral wall…a leap of trust in your guide is required here. A few metres of underwater swimming and you surface in this serene, magnificent chamber.

NOTE:

- The tour may be cancelled if we believe the weather conditions are not safe.

- Lunch not included

- The Blue Cave landowners do not operate on Saturday.

Minimum of 2 Persons; Maximum of 6 Persons

Depart: 0900Duration: 4 hoursCost: VUV9,000 per adult

TIP:- Take a waterproof camera; you won’t regret the purchase as there are many images to take above and below the water.

- If you are not a good swimmer/snorkeler only go when the weather is perfectly calm and it is low tide. If unsure, ask us at the front desk; we are happy to advise you.